Toxoplasma gondii is a microscopic parasite which can infect all warm-blooded animals, including humans. Cats are the most common carriers of Toxoplasma gondii and they shed infective parasite eggs (called oocysts) in their feces.
People can become infected if they don’t wash their hands after they change cat litter or if they garden in areas where cats have defecated. People can also pick up the parasite by consuming infected game meat, such as bear. Pork is also considered to be an important source of Toxoplasma gondii infection in people.
